The Johnson girls volleyball team celebrates after defeating Reagan in the final game of the Region IV-5A volleyball tournament at Greehey Arena on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011. BILLY CALZADA / gcalzada@express-news.net Reagan vs. Johnson

Alyssa Adams of Reagan High School spikes the ball as Olivia Drummond (20) of Johnson High attemps to block during Region IV-5A volleyball tournament action at Greehey Arena on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011. BILLY

Carnae Dillard (7) of Johnson High School celebrates after a game three victory over Reagan in their best-of-five match during Region IV-5A volleyball tournament action at Greehey Arena on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011. BILLY CALZADA / gcalzada@express-news.net Reagan vs. Johnson

Carnae Dillard (7) of Johnson High School celebrates after a game three victory over Reagan in their best-of-five match during Region IV-5A volleyball tournament action at Greehey Arena on Saturday, Nov. 12,

Johnson senior libero Ayssa Garcia said normally she's not the emotional type and that usually she doesn't let down her guard in front of people.

But as she sprinted off the court at Greehey Arena on Saturday, rushing to join her teammates in the foyer just outside of their locker room, she couldn't contain herself.

Garcia's eyes filled with tears — the result, she said, of accomplishing a goal that just a few years ago seemed unfathomable.

Johnson topped Reagan 25-18, 20-25, 30-28, 25-20 to win its first Region IV-5A volleyball title, securing a berth in next weekend's UIL Class 5A state tournament in San Marcos.

“It's a big deal for me,” said Garcia, who was a freshman when Johnson played its first varsity season in 2008. “I just wanted it way bad. We worked so hard. We had to do it.''

Johnson secured the victory with balance and resolve, the latter perhaps being the most important during the match's pivotal sequence.

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With the contest between District 26-5A rivals tied at a game apiece, Reagan — which was paced by Brooke Sassin's 24 kills and four blocks — led 27-26 and was serving for Game 3 after rallying from a 20-11 deficit and staving off two game points.

Johnson sophomore McKenna Magnuson, though, executed a “pancake” dig, sliding her hand on the court just as the ball was about to fall, to keep the play alive. Carnae Dillard slammed one of her match-high 30 kills to tie it at 27.

“I had no idea what to do, so I just put my hand out there and hoped I got it up,” Magnuson said. “I wasn't going to let it drop.''

“That was a tiring game, but we had to pull through,” Garcia said. “We've been practicing being ready for this type of situation. They're such a great team, that we had to give it our all, no matter what the score is.''

Johnson then closed out the match in Game 4, using a late surge to pull away from the Rattlers (36-14), who were playing in their fifth regional final in the past seven seasons.

Dillard had three kills and a block, Freitag had two of her 15 kills, and setter Jessica Teel, who finished with 61 assists, and Caskey each added a kill during the decisive run.

“It's just amazing to have this amazing team behind me,” Dillard said. “We knew from July that our goal was state. And it happened, and I'm so excited.''